An Autumn Packed Full of Learning
- August 1, 2026
- ⋮
- EXECUTIVE MESSAGE
Speaking of the forestlands, our elementary students have already taken to the trails with the Friends of the ACFL field trips. Here’s what a few 3rd graders had to say about their time in the woods:
My favorite part was playing the coyote and plant-based game. When the coyote turned around and said a plant, you had to act like the plant. It was so fun!
My friend could not find a plant to draw and label. I helped him find a mushroom that was small and white. After he was done with that, we were walking, and then I saw a mushroom that was orange and upside down on a tree!
Also in the woods were Fidalgo 5th graders who recently came back from Cedar Outdoor School and AMS 6th graders who spent a couple days at Camp Orkila. This week, 7th grade classes took to the sea on the Salish Sea School trip aboard Island Adventures.
These hands-on experiences are the epitome of ASF’s mission; they inspire and empower students through enrichment. When a student learns to identify salal and nettles or learns to forage for berries in the foothills of the Cascades, he/she becomes more engaged in the classroom learning. For many students, the Salish Sea trip is the first time being on the water examining bull kelp, otter life or the benefits of seaweed. Trips like these infuse a curiosity that organically translates to a deeper level of learning in class.
Later this month, third graders head to Fidalgo Pool for their three-week swim lesson unit while some second graders will visit MoNA in LaConner to take in art, history and culture. All of these enriching experiences help break barriers as well, exposing kids to learning they might not otherwise get. And none of it would be possible without our amazing donors. We are so grateful for your investment in our kids, which inevitably is a fantastic return.
Finally, our Celebrate the Season committee is busier than ever cementing the details for our winter gala on December 4th. This is the party of the year where we raise funds to support all of the important trips mentioned above and more. We hope to see you there!
To learn more about how to support or get involved with ASF, contact Executive Director Treva King at execdirector@asfkids.org or 360-320-6223.
